Brag, brag, brag alert!

[get the red out]

When Layla was a puppy and destroyed my husband's leather chair, this wonderful group told me she needed a JOB! Well, we got her one; dog agility. This weekend we went to our second agility trial and she got 1st place in three runs and 3rd in another, all four "qualifies". On the two runs we didn't qualify in we still didn't look bad, just a dumb mistake on my part here and there. I'm so proud of my sweet girl! It's too bad she's handler impaired, but she seems blissfully unaware and still cuddles next to me to sleep.

[Stinky The Clown]

1. Good for YOU! And good for Layla, to be sure.

[livetohike]

2. That's great news! Congratulations

to Layla and you .

[Helen Reddy]

3. Yay Layla!

She is such a smartie-pants, and a looker as well.

My 15 month old destructive G.S. dog is going to win the Nobel Peace Prize one day.

[hamsterjill]

4. Major congrats!

Glad you found a solution! And thank you for loving her enough to FIND a solution.

That may sound sappy, but I appreciate good pet parents and realize how great it is when people truly care. There are simply way too many people on the other side of the spectrum where I life.

Layla is a lucky girl!

[get the red out]

7. Layla is a gift!

She's helped my husband and I more than I can say. That little gal helps keep me sane, I owe her so much.

And after running around with her in agility class I can easily justify an ice cream on the way home!

[wildeyed]

5. Yay!

A lot of people would have dumped her at the pound for that. Good for you for finding her a job and good for her for being so good at it!

[get the red out]

8. A person would be nuts to do that

The thing I don't see written a lot about regarding BCs is how sweet they are. Actually, most herding dogs I've met have been incredibly sweet natured.

I was so scared from what I read online about collies when we adopted her that I was terrified we would never be able to give her a happy life. Fortunately her needs aren't nearly as extreme as I saw listed online. She likes to play in ways that make her think, that burns off the most energy of all. A good long walk in the morning, Agility, even adding commands she has to fulfill during a game of fetch get her wonderfully tired for a number of hours. Human interaction seems to be a main ingredient. Once she's had her exercise she is happy to lie next to me on the couch while I knit.

[wildeyed]

9. I have had several BCs.

They are GREAT dogs if you can deal with the intensity. My Ruby was so intelligent that she would watch me doing yard tasks and then attempt to imitate. Hilarious watching her "rake" the yard with me. She was also ridiculously sensitive and could not deal with any correction. I would raise my eyebrows at her, and that was usually enough to make her stop whatever she was doing. The problem was, the people who had her before me corrected her by kicking! Never ok with any dog, but a real no no with this one.

My current BC, Ziggy, is cheerful, alpha and high energy. Maybe not quite as intelligent as Ruby, but still has brain cells to burn. He likes to learn and can take correction. I taught him a funny trick this week. I hold my hand in a gun shape and say "Stick 'em up!" and he rises on his haunches and puts his paws up. Then I say "BANG" and he falls over on his side. Hilarious! I will post a video when I get around to it. I also do some agility with him, but need to either put some obstacles in my backyard or find a club to join. I was doing it at a doggie daycare place, but kinda got fed up with the owner and it stopped being fun.

I think people who have serious problems with their BCs are usually woking all day and can't be with them and then don't have time to spend at night. Also, you are right about the brain exercise. I have been super busy and only doing walks and frisbee with mine and I can see his frustration beginning to mount. I need to think of a new trick to teach him!

[Stinky The Clown]

10. Your point about sensitivity to correction . . . . .

. . . . . this is our third BC or BC mix. That trait has been common to them all. If you understand it, it is a huge key to training them. They really do want to please. Maybe more than any other dog.

Wanting to please is also their undoing in some situations. Actually, it is the undoing of some attempts to keep them as pets. They are not your basic lazy layabout dogs. They *need* to have jobs.

[wildeyed]

11. That is so true.

My personality basically matches the breed. Physical, too intense for most people's comfort, overly sensitive and hyper focused on whatever task is at hand. So I get along great with most BCs!

[get the red out]

12. Sensitivity

Fortunately Layla isn't overly sensitive to correction, but she doesn't like for us to get too loud or her little ears go back like she's worried, even if the loudness is directed at the TV, or my husband and I arguing; she starts worrying it's about her and needs reassurance.

I hope you find another place to do agility. I'm pretty lucky here, there are two fairly local places I can go to train Layla. I have a set of 6 weave poles and a jump at home, but those aren't enough at this point, and truth be told we live in a townhouse so I used to have to drag those down to the field where we play chuck-it.

Layla has never been interested in a frisbee as anything but a chew toy, but she will chase a ball until she's ready to drop. One thing she's started doing for me lately is finding the second ball, I always take two balls and sometimes I will lose sight of one, all I have to do is ask her "where's the other ball?" and she will start roaming around sniffing for it and when she finds it she will bop it with her nose then look at me like "right here you dummy", LOL, that's my girl!

[wildeyed]

13. I started teaching him "back up" yesterday

just to give him something to do. Once he masters that, maybe I will teach him left and right. Professional herding dogs learn this, so I guess Ziggy can too. He just needs *something* for his brain to do. If I have time tomorrow, I will run with him or take him to the dog park. Maybe both He keeps me in shape!

[Curmudgeoness]

6. You have every right to brag!

You can tell that this is a breed that needs to work. I am not surprised that Layla did a great job.

And don't worry about the mistakes that you made....experience will help you.

[TorchTheWitch]

14. Yeah Layla!

And yeah for you in redirecting her energy into something positive. I agree what working breeds need a job they seem suited for or at least one they seem to enjoy.

It's also a great way to stay in shape... dogs can be the most determined and unforgiving personal trainers! LOL!

[get the red out]

15. Herding Group Personal Trainer Association

Giving "the eye" to laziness in all forms; willing to bark out commands and nip your heels toward an active livestyle. Play bows and slobbery kisses included.

[HillWilliam]

16. So lucky to run into your thread!!

My babygirl, Julie, is now just 2-1/2. She suffered some real trauma as a puppy we haven't quite figured out, but we've been bolstering her confidence for a year and a half since we adopted her.

This morning our piglets got loose and the neighbors called (they have one and we have one in a common lot). Knowing that none of us could get ahead of a piglet, I brought Julie along to see if she would be willing to help keep them close where we could nab them to get them back in the lot.

Babiest knew exactly what to do! She's never been allowed to work with a herd, but she has always exhibited good instincts. This morning she made me so proud helping her dad out, keeping the piggies backed up against the fence where Mr Neighbor and I could nab them. I figured since she's bigger than they are, she has incredible instincts and brains, and she's ever so much faster, no harm could have come. She was so proud of herself for helping out.

Normally, she's a homebody who hangs with her "aunties" (five older herding rescues). They have a fenced-in yard where they're allowed to keep squirrels away from the fruit trees and gardens. Julie still has timid spots, but she has made SO much progress. Having a "big girl" job for just a few minutes did so much for her ego. She has thought about it all day and I can see her absorbing the thought that it's ok to believe in herself as much as her dads believe in her.

Hug Layla for us and send her lots of Good Girls.

[get the red out]

17. That a girl Julie!

I love watching the little doggie brain at work! She sounds like such a fast learner and such a good girl helping with the piggies! I love to see dogs proud of the job they've done. Bless you for making such a good home for your wonderful rescues. Angels all.